La Liga Preview: Barcelona host league leaders Valencia
All eyes will be on Camp Nou on Saturday when Barcelona take on the league leaders, Valencia, in one of this weekend's featured matches.
Recent form
It's hard to argue with the way Valencia have played this season. Despite a loss to Manchester United in the Champions League, Valencia have been the class of La Liga, and remain undefeated atop the table.
Their only dropped points of the season came in a tough 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona have had some ups and downs so far this season as they once again couldn't find a way to get a win against Russian side Rubin Kazan in the Champions League. In La Liga Barcelona have a hit a
few roadblocks along the way including being upset by newly promoted Hercules, and dropping points in a 1-1 draw two weekends ago against Mallorca.
Barcelona have also been suffering through some injuries to some key players which has contributed to their mediocre league record. Lionel Messi injured his ankle in a meeting against Atletico Madrid back
on 19 September, but has since returned. The latest loss to injury is midfield playmaker Xavi who has been suffering from tendonitis and sat out Spain's two most recent Euro 2012 qualifying matches.
Players to watch
With Xavi likely out of the lineup for Saturday's match, midfielder Andres Iniesta will be the one expected to supply Barcelona strikers with scoring chances. Striker David Villa did not play in Barcelona's
most recent league match, but played for Spain in both of their Euro 2012 qualifying matches over the past week, and should be back in the lineup on the weekend. The defensive partnership of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique will have to have a solid game if Barcelona
hope to achieve victory.
Valencia don't have a lineup that immediately catches the eye with big names. In fact, in Spain's most recent Euro 2012 qualifying matches only two Valencia players, Pablo Hernandez and Aritz Aduriz, cracked
the Spanish lineup. Barcelona, on the other hand, had as many six players wearing Spanish colors over the past week. The striking trio which includes Aritz Aduriz, along with Mata and Soldado, has combined for five goals in La Liga so far and they will be
major threats on the counter attack.
What to expect
Valencia have failed to win in their last five matches against Barcelona, being outscored 15-2 in that time. They will certainly be filled with confidence feeling that this match could well be their best
opportunity to not only reverse their fortunes against the Catalans, but to prove to all of Spain that they are genuine title contenders.
With Barcelona currently sitting in fourth place on 13 points from 6 matches, they will certainly be feeling the pressure to get the victory, especially with the match being played at home. If Barcelona
are to keep their domestic title hopes alive, full points will be essential. A tired lineup which has likely seen too many matches in recent weeks could hurt the Blaugrana's chances.
Prediction: Valencia will steal some points with a 1-1 draw.
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